Mother perishes after re-entering blaze to shield toddler in Saint Paul home

A fire broke out Saturday afternoon in a Saint Paul, Minnesota duplex where Bonnie Pierce lived with two daughters. After getting herself and one child out, Pierce learned her toddler was trapped and rushed back into the inferno, using her body to cover the child. Firefighters entered the building and discovered Pierce unconscious after about fifteen minutes without oxygen, with burns covering 48% of her skin.

She was transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries on Monday. The toddler, whom she was protecting, is still in medical care but is anticipated to make a complete recovery. A GoFundMe campaign set up in Pierce's memory has raised over half of its $15,000 goal to help the family with expenses, while the fire’s cause remains under investigation by Saint Paul Fire and Saint Paul Police.